Quite simply, a flipped classroom makes instructional use of activities that have been traditionally assigned for homework. Instead of being introduced to a topic for the first time in class, students read about a topic or watch a video that introduces a topic at home. These introductory lessons provide factual information and examples related to the learning objective, they can include quizzes to test and provide immediate feedback for students' factual comprehension, and they can culminate in assignments that will prepare students for activities they will experience the next day in class. For example, students could be asked to work basic problems with immediate feedback (e.g., on Khan Academy or Socrative.com or Google Forms with Flubaroo (video)), brainstorm real-world connections or connections with previous lessons and objectives, or begin to interpret and react to what they have experienced. If students are asked to do repetitive work, such as problem sets, it is essential that they receive immediate feedback so that they do not reinforce errors that they make in an unguided setting. Many teachers already employ these techniques; therefore, it is largely a matter of the degree to which you employ the model. One of the most common methods today involves having students watch a video (e.g., a screencast created with programs like Camtasia at school, Screen-O-matic at home on the PC, or ShowMe on the iPad) of a lecture or demonstration at home, followed by a quick quiz, writing assignment, problem set, or demonstration with immediate feedback. Students can use the VideoNotes with GoogleDrive to take and share timestamped notes associated with videos (example). Guided practice is often used in conjunction with the flipped classroom as teachers provide observed, direct practice with feedback during class time.
Glossary of Terms